Conquering Rome in 48 hours—is it even possible? Sure, if what you have in mind is eating a slice of Roman-style pizza right out of a wood-fired oven, sampling a few flavors of gelato that you’ve never heard of, and joining locals as they stroll around the nearest piazza. This two-day itinerary lets you get a real feel for Rome while also savoring a handful of its showstoppers, including the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so is it possible to take in its top sights in just 24 hours? Along with exploring the Colosseum and Roman Forum, can a day-long itinerary squeeze in some time for strolling around a piazza or two, taking a break from the midday sun at a gelato stand, and sipping an aperitivo as the sun sets over those famous seven hills? We Romans are always up for a challenge, so I’ve put together a blockbuster of an itinerary for you.